Spark plug breather



Feb. 27, 1945. I wHlTTAKER 2,370,599

SPARK PLUG BREATHER Filed Jan. 29, 1944 III/A flenry aWfjiiiakenI'ITTORN'ES.

Patented Feb. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,370,599 SPARK PLUGBREATHER Henry Clay Whittaker, Memphis, Tenn. Application January 29,1944, Serial No. 520,301

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a spark plug attach- More specifically, it isthe object of the invention'to provide a housing in which a plurality ofvalved. air inlets are provided, constructed and adapted to feed air topoints interiorly of the spark plug shell andpast the electrodes, onlyon the intake stroke of the pistons of an engine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter stated which embodies few parts, economical in constructionand efficient in use.

Additional objects, advantages and features of 1 invention will beapparent from the following description and accompanying drawing,wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section through an air feeding deviceinstalled upon anengine, indicating its operative relation with respectto a spark plug. a V

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

There is illustrated a cylindrical housing l0 having a planiform fiatbottom H, axially of which there is formed an annular opening l2 of asize to receive the threaded end l3 of a spark plug I4 therethrough. Thebottom wall H is of substantial thickness and rising therefrom, acircumscribing wall I5 is formed, defining a centrally disposed well [6.The well has a diameter such as to readily admit a spark plug wrench forthe purpose of installation or removal of a plug.

Medially of the wall of the opening I! an annular groove [1 is formedadapted to register with the wall l5, three being shown in the presentinstance, extending in the same vertical plane as the wall, the lowerends of which communicate with respective lateral bores 20, which openupon the groove H.

A sealing ring 2| is employed, of the same di;

'ameter as the housing In and the same width as 24 against which a ballvalve 25 is urged by means ofa helical spring 26.

In use, on the intake stroke of the motor, a suction iscreated in theapertures l8 of the plug as well as in the bores l9 and 20, thusunseating the ball valve 25, admitting air into the interior of theplug, which then passes downwardly around and against the electrodes,thus cooling and cleaning them.

In addition to maintaining the points clean and cool, the use of-thedevice insures a more efficient ,motor as well as eliminating hardstarting of the motor during wet weather, when considerable condensationoccurs in the cylinders of the engine. 7

While I have shown and specifically described the device, this is by wayof illustration only, and I consider as my own all such modifications inconstruction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for admitting air to the electrodes of a spark plug comprisinga housing having a medial opening for reception of a spark plug, thewall of the opening having an annular groove for registry with openingsformed in the shell of the spark plug and ports formed in the housing establishing communication between the atmosphere and the annular groove.

2. Means for admitting air to the electrodes of a spark plug comprisinga housing having a medial opening. for reception of a spark plug, thewall of the opening having an annular groove for registry with openingsformed in the shell of the spark plug, ports formed in the housingestablishing communication between the atmosphere and the annulargroove, and valve means for controlling admission of air into saidports.

- HENRY CLAY WHITTAKER.

